Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued new directive to all airlines operating regional and international flights into Nigeria to allow passengers without International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), known as Yellow card to board henceforth.
Spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye in a statement said the directive supercedes the earlier one issued on compulsory possession of Yellow Card.
Adurogboye stated that passengers should ensure they are vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card would be initiated.
This policy shift followed a letter received from the Federal Ministry of Health dated March 11 2020 reviewing the implementation of the operationalisation of Nigeria Points of Entry policy on the prevention and control of cross border transmission of Yellow fever.
He disclosed that the review of the policy arose from the competing priority of the ongoing entry screening of the Points of Entry by the Port Health Services for COVID-19. Hence, entry screening of passengers due to the COVID-19 outbreak will be prioritized by the Port Health Services ″until the outbreak has been effectively contained’’.
In view of the above all airlines operating these flights are to, from March 11, 2020 implement the reviewed policy of the Federal Ministry of Health.
The policy instructs that passengers coming to Nigeria without documented proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever (valid yellow card) are allowed to board but be advised that they will be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card will be initiated;
Also, passengers departing Nigeria, a valid Yellow card will be required for boarding and Airlines are to communicate this policy to their passengers accordingly and;
This policy review is with effect from 11th March, 2020, the agency said.
It will be recalled that the Authority has issued a letter to the concerned operators on the above subject referenced NCAA/DG/AMS/74/Vol. III/44 dated February 10, 2020.